When it comes to designing the workplace to minimize fatigue and injury-the science of ergonomics-the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") sets a high bar for companies.  And OSHA did just that at Clow Valve when they sent a team to conduct a benchmarking ergonomic improvements session.  Clow Team members not only took the challenge to heart, they decided to enter the Ergo Cup Competition.  The Ergo Cup gives companies an opportunity to showcase effective ergonomic solutions or education initiatives that they've come up with over the previous 24 months.

Clow Team members Jim Kopaska, Management Trainee,; Corey Danner, Hydrant Assembler; Jim Jegerlehner, Ergonomist; Dan Krusemark, Hydrant Supervisor; Rod Swager, Safety Manager; and Ryan Waddell, Hydrant Assembler competed for the Team-Driven Workplace Solutions prize.  Their entry in the competition required them to re-think how fire hydrants are assembled and consisted of a new horizontal assembly process that minimizes most of the job stressors, reduces assembly cycle time and improves product quality. 

The Clow Team felt that this innovation was worthy of the Ergo Cup and the judges agreed when they declared the Clow Team the Ergo Cup winners.  This is another example of the on-going pursuit of excellence by the Team at McWane.

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